V. Vineyards Pinot Noir Avere Sonoma Stage Petaluma Gap 2021

Petaluma is the official halfway point on my commute from Windsor to Napa. It also marks the beginning of the most picturesque part of the drive as I exit 101 and wind my way through the verdant countryside and vineyards heading east. It’s right here, nestled in these temperate, rolling hills, where today’s gorgeous 95-point Pinot Noir is grown – at a tucked-away site called Sonoma Stage Vineyard.

It never fails to amaze me that I once drove these breathtaking roads on a vacation before ever living here. Yes, I’m one of those transplants who visited, fell hard for the area, and found myself moving to wine country not long after. A sip of this fresh and generous Pinot reminds me of the exact thing I became enamored with on that first trip: small family producers, terroir-shaped wines, and stories of pure passion and perseverance.

If you can’t tell, I like romanticizing things – long commutes, old memories, and definitely the wines I taste for work. (Such a tough job, I know!) When a wine can tie experiences and emotions together, it can add a bit of magic to the everyday, and the V. Vineyards 2021 'Avere' Pinot Noir does exactly that.

It has so much depth and charisma, with stunning bright flavors of strawberry, pomegranate, hibiscus, and a vibrant splash of citrus, grounded by meandering notes of damp earth, black tea, hazelnuts, and crunchy plum. It makes complete sense that “Avere” means “to desire, wish or long for; to crave.” And truly, drinking it feels like exactly what you’d crave – a picnic on a warm, breezy evening, or the wine you’d open if your best friend came over to do a puzzle and catch up for an hour.

It is absolutely magnetic, and easily worth the winery’s $72 retail price. Our price, however, is under $30. We’re also throwing in free shipping when you grab 3 or more bottles. It's just the thing to add a little revelry to your week!